Kiko (footballer)

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Kiko (footballer) bigraphy, stories - Spanish footballer

Kiko (footballer) : biography

26 April 1972 –

Francisco Miguel Narváez Machón, aka Kiko (born 26 April 1972), is a Spanish retired footballer who spent most of his career with Atlético de Madrid.; Atlético de Madrid Fansite, 20 October 2009

A centre forward with tremendous technical ability and field vision, he possessed nonetheless a poor aerial game despite being almost 190 cms tall. In 10 La Liga seasons (also played one year with his main club in Segunda División), he amassed totals of 271 games and 60 goals.

Kiko was an instrumental squad member at the 1992 Summer Olympics as the national team won gold on home soil. Additionally, he appeared at full level in one World Cup and one European Championship.

International career

For Spain, Kiko was capped 26 times, scoring five goals. His debut came on 16 December 1992 in a 1994 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Latvia (90 minutes played).

Kiko would take part at UEFA Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup. He scored two goals against Bulgaria in the latter tournament; however, these did not count for anything as Spain were ultimately ousted in the group stage, despite a 6–1 thrashing.

Previously, Kiko represented the nation at the 1992 Summer Olympics, in Barcelona. He scored a last-minute winner against Poland in the final, a 3–2 victory, his second of the game.; Dame Un Silbidito, April 2010

International goals

# Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 15 November 1995 Martínez Valero, Elche, Spain MKD|1992}} 1–0 3–0 Euro 1996 qualifying
2. 7 February 1996 Insular, Las Palmas, Spain NOR}} 1–0 1–0 Friendly
3. 24 September 1997 Tehelné pole, Bratislava, Slovakia SVK}} 0–1 1–2 1998 World Cup qualification
4. 24 June 1998 Félix Bollaert, Lens, France BUL}} 5–1 6–1 1998 World Cup
5. 24 June 1998 Félix Bollaert, Lens, France BUL}} 6–1 6–1 1998 World Cup

Club career

Born in Jerez de la Frontera, Province of Cádiz, Kiko’s career began with local Cádiz CF, and he first appeared in La Liga on 14 April 1991 in a 2–3 home loss against Athletic de Bilbao. Even though he played in only five further matches in the season, he was intimately connected with the Andalusia side’s fate as, on 9 June, in only 25 minutes of play, he gained a penalty kick and scored an 83-minute winner in a 2–1 home win against Real Zaragoza; Cádiz would miraculously retain its status, after a playoff match against CD Málaga.

After two more seasons as an undisputed starter, Kiko moved, alongside teammate José María Quevedo to Atlético Madrid, upon Cádiz’s 1993 relegation. There, he developed into one of Spain’s most important footballers during the 90’s, being an instrumental piece in Atlético’s historical double in 1995–96, with goals and assists alike.

When Atlético was relegated in 2000, Kiko stayed with the club for a further season (not managing one single goal in those two seasons combined, in 52 league contests), finishing out his career with CF Extremadura also in the second division in 2002 (six-month spell, teaming up with another longtime top-divisioner, striker Pier).

Honours

Club

Atlético Madrid
  • Spanish League: 1995–96
  • Spanish Cup: 1995–96

Country

Spain U23
  • Summer Olympics: 1992
Spain U21
  • UEFA European Football Championship: Third-place 1994